Nursing Informatics

Informatics

A broad academic field that includes artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, information science, and social science

Medical Informatics

The use of informatics in medicine and healthcare to manage medical information and improve patient care

Purpose of Nursing Informatics

To support nursing practice using health information systems and technology

ANA Definition of Nursing Informatics

A specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences to manage and communicate data and knowledge in nursing practice

TIGER Initiative (Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform)

A program that promotes the integration of technology and informatics into nursing education and practice

Top six informatics competencies for nurses identified by the Tiger Initiative

Information and knowledge management in patient care; Nursing documentation (including terminologies); Decision support by IT; Information management in research; Information management in teaching, training and education; Resource planning and logistics

How nursing informatics works; Data Collection

Gathering patient information such as vital signs, physical assessments, and laboratory results

Examples of Data Collection in Nursing

Vital signs, physical assessments, lab draws, patient history, and diagnostic results

Point-of-Care Technology

Technology used directly at the patient’s bedside to collect, access, and document health information

Examples of Point-of-Care Technology

Computers, tablets, and glucometers

Safe Practice Alert (Documentation)

Nurses must ensure all recorded patient data is accurate. Documentation should happen on a timely basis.

Rapidly changing technology

Bedside computers, workstations on wheels (WOWs not COWs), smartphones/vocera, tablets

Safe Practice Alert: Technology Use

Healthcare providers must always follow facility policies and privacy laws when using technology

Benefit of Point-of-Care Technology

Provides the right patient information at the right time, improving safety and decision-making

Telehealth

The use of the internet and technology to connect patients with healthcare professionals for remote healthcare services

Telemedicine

The use of technology and the internet to connect healthcare providers for remote medical consultations

Telehealth Benefit

Provides remote consultations using clear video and electronic communication

Telenursing

The transmission of electronic data, images, or audio between nurses and patients from a patient’s bedside or home

Benefits of Telenursing

Ease of communication allows daily adjustments to improve outcomes and care; Connecting patients specifically to nurses

What patients would benefit from telehealth?

pt’s with mobility issues, individuals living in rural areas with limited access to healthcare, people with busy schedules that make travel difficult, the elderly, individuals with chronic conditions

Benefits of telemonitoring

improve organizations, improve pt outcomes, reduce cost of healthcare, improve patient satisfaction

Benefits of informatics

patient safety, record management, research access, networking

Patient Safety

diagnostic tests results are available sooner, barcode medication administration system reduces errors, decision support systems (ALERTS), don’t just hit the override button, computerized provider order entry

Record Management

electronic medical record, electronic health record

What are some of the pros with computerizing the medical record?

improved access to patient information, improved communication, improved patient safety, faster test results and documentation

Research Access

computerization and storage of health care data, data management programs

Networking

listservs- mailing lists, social media, blogs

Improved patient outcomes

By providing readily accessible patient information like medical history, lab results,
and medication lists, nurses can make more informed decisions about patient care

Enhanced communication

Nursing informatics facilitates seamless communication between healthcare
providers by allowing them to access and share updated patient data across different
departments

Reduced medical errors

Accurate and readily available information in electronic health records helps to minimize errors caused by misinterpretation or missing data

Efficient workflows

By streamlining data collection and documentation processes, nurses can spend less
time on administrative tasks and more time with patients

Evidence-based practice

Nursing informatics allows nurses to access research and data to support evidence-
based decision-making in patient care

Data analysis and quality improvement

Nursing informatics professionals can analyze large datasets to identify trends and
areas for improvement within healthcare systems

Computer Literacy

knowledge of computers and the ability to use them

Information Literacy

the ability to recognize when information is needed and how it is produced, and the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information to create new knowledge

Key areas of ethical conflict

Creation and retention of documentation; Ownership of software; Ownership and integrity of data; Preservation of privacy and confidentiality; Prevention of computer
fraud and misuse

Safe practice alert:

username and password codes for access to an EHR system must never be shared with anyone

Social Networking: Guidelines that help avoid social media problems

No transmission of any patient’s image; No posting of any patient information
including names; No disparaging comments about any patients or staff; No contact with patients outside of the workplace

Advancements in nursing informatics will

Enable nurses to improve patient care and safety; Gather evidence of best
practice; Use point-of-care documentation and references; Advocate for consumer access to health care information